Exercising apparatus



Dec. 31, 1963 H. ZINKIN EXERCISING APPARATUS 7 Filed Nov. 22, 1960 INVENTOR HUEBNER & WORREL HAROLD Z/NK/N A 7TO/P/VE V5 .M

United States Patent 3,116,062 EXERCEKNG APPTU Harold Zinlrin, 2136 'lulare Sh, Fresno, Calif. Filed Nov. 22, 1960, Ser- No. 70,980 7 Claims. ((11. 272F513) The present invention relates to an exercising apparatus and more particularly to such an apparatus known as a leg press which makes provision for ready adjustment and is suited to the performance of properly controlled and regulated exercise with a minimum of physical strain incident thereto.

The steadily increasing recognition of the importance of exercise in the maintenance of good health has led to a daily attention to such exercise by many people. The limited time available and the need for proper con trol and regulation of the exercise to avoid harmful side effects has led to an increasing popularity of exercising apparatus.

Such apparatus generally makes provision for controlled resistance to a repetitive physical movement. As the participant gradually improves his musclar tone and general physical condition, the resistance to such movement is slowly increased. In many instances, such participants develop to such an extent that the resistance can be increased to a multiple of that which initially is suitably employed.

The leg press is typical of such apparatus. It requires adjustment to accommodate improvement in participant physical condition and frequent regulation to suit the needs of successive users. Conventional leg presses have not been sufficiently adaptable, have been difficult to regulate with respect to movement resistance, and have been time consuming in adjustment to the needs of successive users. Further, they have been of a form frequently causing harmful side efiects incident to undesir able physical strain on portions of the body other than those to which the exercise is directed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved exercising apparatus of the so-called press type.

Another object is to provide an improved resistance control mechanism for exercising apparatus.

Another object is to provide a leg exercise device which miminizes undesirable strain on other portions of the body.

Another object is to provide a leg exercising device which is operative from a comfortable position.

Another object is to provide a leg exercising apparatus which is quickly and easily adjustable to the capacity of the user.

Another object is to provide an exercising apparatus providing optimum movement for developing and strengthening the legs.

Another object is to position movement resistance weights of exercising apparatus remotely from the user so as to avoid injury incident to displacement or falling of such weights.

Another object is to provide a leg exercising apparatus which is adjustable to a wide range of user requirements.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the subsequent description in the specification.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention showing a user in dashed lines.

PEG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, a supporting frame, indicated at 10 in FIG. 2, provides opposite forward and rearward end portions 11 and 12 respectively. A pair of spaced, parallel longitudinal base members 13 extend between the end portions and are interconnected by a plurality of spaced parallel transverse base members 14. The base members are adapted to rest in a substantially horizontal position on a surface, indicated at 15, such as the floor of a gymnasium. The supporting frame also includes a pair of side posts 16 having lower ends rigidly secured to the longitudinal base members and upwardly extended therefrom intermediate the ends of the frame. As best seen in FIG. 2 the side posts are interconnected near their upper ends by a transverse rod 17. A pair of diagonal brace members 18, rigidly secured at their opposite ends to the posts and to the longitudinal base members, further impart rigidity to the frame.

A plurality of substantially rectangular stacked weights 29 are adapted to be rested on the fa-rward end 11 of the frame 161. Each of the weights is provided having a horizontal bore 21, best shown in FIG. 4, extended transversely therethrough for a purpose hereinafter to be de scribed. The weights, when in stacked relation, define a pair of spaced bores 22 extended downwardly therethrough which slidably receive therein a pair of spaced slide bars 23. The bars include lower end portions 24 which are pivotally connected by suitable bolts 25 to a pair of brackets 2s rigidly secured adjacent to base members 14 at the forward end portion 11 of the frame. The bars extend upwardly from the base and are interconnected in parallel relation at their upper ends by a cross beam 27. The Weights may be of any desired size, shape, and unit weight but are preferably of sufficiently small individual weight to provide small incremental adjustments and of sufiicient number to provide a wide range of accommodation.

A bell crank 30 is pivotally mounted on the transverse rod 17 midway between the side posts 16 by a pair of opposite spacers 31. The bell crank includes a downwardly extending leg 32 which mounts a pair of horizontally spaced foot receiving pedals 33. A substantially horizontal leg 34- of the bell crank is integral with the leg 32 and extends forwardly between the slide bars 23. The leg 34 terminates at a forward end 35 upwardly spaced from the weights 20.

A weight lifting rod 36 is. provided having an upper end pivotally connected to the fonward end of the leg 34 by a pin 37. The weights 20 provide central aligned bores 38 substantially midway between the bores 22 and parallel thereto. The rod 36 is pendantly supported on the pin 37 and provides a lower end disposed in the aligned bores 38. The lower end of the rod is provided with a plurality of transverse bores 39 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 which individually align with the corresponding horizontal bores 21 in the weights. A pin 40 is provided to extend through any of the selected aligned bores 21 and 39 so that a desired number of weights is connected to the lifting rod.

To support a user of the device, represented at 50, a pair of arms '51 are pivotally connected to the posts 16 at 52, rearwardly extended in parallel relation, rigidly interconnected by transverse members 53, and rested on the rearward end portion 12 of the frame. A chair 54, of any suitable form, is mounted on the extended ends of the arms. As will be apparent, the chair may be adjustiably mounted in any desired manner but such mounting is not an essential to the present invention and is not described in greater detail.

Further, while the present invention has been described in terms of a leg press, it will be apparent that by the provision :of facilities for supporting the user 50* in other attitudes and positions the structure may be effectively utilized for other exercising purposes.

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. Before use, the apparatus is preadiusted. The user Sil or a supervisor, estimates the weight which it is desired to have resist the leg press, orother exercise. The pin 40 is inserted in selected aligned bores 21 and 39'. Such insertion locks the weight 2% ha ing the selected bores 21 to the rod as. When the rod 36 is raised, in the manner soon referred to, such locked weight and all weights supported thereon are raised. Thus, for example, if the weights each weigh ten pounds, the insertion of the pin in the bores 21 of the top weight imposes a burden of ten pounds on the rod 36. If the pin is inserted in the bores 21 of the fifth weight, the rod is burdened by fifty pounds. The apparatus normally provides weights of such amount and number that several hundred pounds may be loaded onto the rod 36 by simple selective pin insertion.

The user 50 assumes a sitting position on the chair 54, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. The users feet are placed in the pedals 33 which are positioned with respect to the chair to cause the users legs to be bent in a flexed condition when so positioned. By successively extending and flexing the legs the pre-selected num er of weights 2t} are raised and lowered effecting the desired exercise.

As the user 50* shoves on the pedals 33, the bell crank 30 rocks in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1. As the leg 34 moves upwardly, the rod 36 and the weights 2t supported thereon are lifted with the lower end of the rod sliding upwardly in the bores 33 of the weights below that pinned to the rod. During such operation, the lifted weights slide upwardly on the slide bars 23. The pivotal mounting of the slide bars by the bolts 25 on the brackets 26 accommodates the arcuate movement of the pin 37 and the resultant swinging movement of the rod 36.

When the user flexes his legs, the weigl ts borne by the rod 356 pull the rod downwardly and rock the bell crank 3b in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed. As the rod descends relative to the unlifted weights 29, it slides downwardly through the aligned bores 38 thereof. It will be evident that the slidable association of the weights on the bars 23 and of the rod 36 in the weights always maintains the weights in alignment for ready longitudinal movement of the rod even though selected wei hts are raised while others remain at their lower limits, and even though the bars pivot back and forth during operation.

The apparatus provides quick and easy selection of resistance to pedal movement by the described use of the pin 4'1}. The varied requirements of successive users are readily accommodated. The users are able to achieve desired leg exercise without other undue bodily strain. The weights are remote from the user and in no way can jeopardize the user while he is exercising. The described weight 211, slide bar 23, rod 36 and pin til association also is suited to use in virtually all other exercising devices where similar adjustable resistance to movement is desired.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an exercising apparatus, a frame, a pair of substantially parallel bars pivotally mounted in the frame and upwardly extended therefrom, a plurality of weights slidably mounted on the bars in stacked relation, said weights having aligned bores extended upwardly therethrough and substantially horizontal bores extended therethrough transversely of the upwardly extended bores,

an elevationally movable longitudinally rigid, axially extended member slidably extended through the upwardly extended bores of the weights having transverse bores alignable with the horizontal bores of the weights, a pin receivable in the horizontal bores of selected weights and the respective bore of said member aligned therewith, and means carried by the frame and pivotally connected to said longitudinally rigid member to effect controlled elevation thereof.

2. An exercising apparatus comprising a frame, a seat mounted in the frame, a bell crank pivotally mounted in the frame having a pendant leg positioned in spaced relation to the seat for substantially horizontal pivotal movement toward and from the seat and a substantially horizontal leg rigidly extended from the pendant leg, foot receiving means mounted on the pendant leg and disposed toward the seat, and biasing means connected to the horizontal leg to urge the pendant leg toward the .seat.

3. An exercising apparatus adapted to support the body of a user thereon comprising a frame having a base and an upper frame portion, a body supporting chair mounted on the base, a plurality of stacked weights rested on the base in spaced relation from the chair and having central aligned openings extended downwardly therethrough, each of said weights having a substantially horizontal transverse bore extended therethrough transversely of the central openings, a bell crank pivotally connected to the upper frame portion intermediate the weights and the chair having a substantially horizontal leg and a downwardly extended leg, a rod having an upper portion pivotally connected to the horizontal leg extended downwardly therefrom into the aligned openings of the weights, said rod having a plurality of transverse bores extended therethrough registrable with said transverse bores in the weights, a pin selectively receivable in the aligned transverse bores of the rod and the weights to secure various numbers of weights to the rod, and means mounted on the downwardly extended leg of the bell crank adaptable to be engaged by the feet of a user for reciprocal movement to raise and to lower the selected number of weights.

4. A leg exercising apparatus comprising a frame having a base and an upper frame portion, a chair mounted on the base, a pair of substantially parallel bars pivotally mounted in the frame and upwardly extended therefrom in spaced relation to the chair, a plurality of weights slidably mounted on the bars in stacked relation, said weights having aligned bores extended upwardly therethrough and substantially horizontal bores extended therethrough transversely of the upwardly extended bores, a bell crank pivotally connected to the upper frame portion intermediate the weights and the chair having substantially horizontal downwardly extended legs, an elevationally movable member slidably extended through the upwardly extended bores of the weights having transverse bores alignable with the horizontal bores of the weights and pendently supported on said horizontal leg of the bell crank, 21 pin receivable in the horizontal bores of selected Weights and the respective bore of said members aligned therewith, and a pair of pedals mounted on the downwardly extended leg of the bell crank for receiving the feet of the user whereby the bell crank is reciprocated by the user from the chair to raise and lower the weights on the bars.

5. An exercising apparatus adapted to support the body of a user comprising a frame having a base and an upper frame portion, body support means secured to the base, a plurality of individual weights rested on the base in spaced relation to said support means and arranged in substantial vertical alignment, an elevationally movable, longitudinally rigid member disposed adjacent to said Weights, means selectively connecting the weights to said longitudinally rigid member, a bell crank pivotally connected to the upper frame portion at a position intermediate the weights and said support means, said bell crank having a substantially horizontal leg pivotally connected to the longitudinally rigid member and having a downwardly extended leg termiating in a distal portion adapted to be engaged by the user and reciprocated substantially horizontally, and means to maintain the weights in substantial alignment with said longitudinally rigid member during elevational movement of the member and selected weights.

6. An exercising apparatus comprising a frame, a seat mounted on the frame, a bell crank pivotally supported in the frame and having a pendant leg providing a foot engaging portion positioned in spaced relation to the seat and adapted for pivotal movement of a predetermined range in a substantially vertical plane, the predetermined range of movement of said foot portion being coextensive with an arc described about the center of said pivotal movement and disposed substantially vertically therebeneath whereby said foot portion moves substantially horizontally, the bell crank having a substantially horizontal leg rigidly extended from the pendant leg, and biasing 6 means operatively connected to the horizontal leg selectively to urge the pendant leg toward the seat, the biasing means exerting a substantially constant force on said foot portion throughout said range of movement.

7. The exercising apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pendant leg when in a substantially vertical position bisects the arc of said predetermined range of movement whereby the user must exert a substantially constant force to overcome the force of said biasing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 372,272 Murphy Oct. 25, 1887 964,898 Budingen July 29, 1910 2,632,645 Barkschat Mar. 24, 1953 2,675,236 Blickman Apr. 13, 1954 2,720,396 Pfaus Oct. 11, 1955 2,724,592 Pfaus Nov. 22, 1955 2,855,199 Noland et a1. Oct. 7, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 76,323 Norway Feb. 20, 1950 

2. AN EXERCISING APPARATUS COMPRISING A FRAME, A SEAT MOUNTED IN THE FRAME, A BELL CRANK PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN THE FRAME HAVING A PENDANT LEG POSITIONED IN SPACED RELATION TO THE SEAT FOR SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PIVOTAL MOVEMENT TOWARD AND FROM THE SEAT AND A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL LEG RIGIDLY EXTENDED FROM THE PENDANT LEG, FOOT RECEIVING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE PENDANT LEG AND DISPOSED TOWARD THE SEAT, AND BIASING MEANS CONNECTED TO THE HORIZONTAL LEG TO URGE THE PENDANT LEG TOWARD THE SEAT. 